Del Amitri - The Most Underrated Band Of All-Time

I'd like to take a moment to tell you all a little bit about my favorite band in the world, that no one's ever heard of- Del Amitri. That statement may be a slight exaggeration, but it's to the point that they are a criminally underrated band, who still haven't gotten the credit they deserve. They got their start in Glasgow, Scotland in 1980, and released their heartfelt and unassuming self-titled debut in 1985. Before the release of their debut, they opened for several popular bands of the time, including post-punk / indie legends the Smiths one year prior. Since then they have released six studio albums, broken up and reunited, and dipped their toes into countless sub-genres of rock music, executing each one flawlessly. From their debut of folk-tinged post-punk, to several other releases combining the perfect mixture of folk-rock, alternative rock, and pop-rock- it's safe to say these boys have damn near done it all. But thankfully, they're not done yet! After a what has felt like a lifetime of a hiatus (their last studio record being released in 2002) they just announced at the end of March 2020, that they've just finished recording their new album...And with plans of touring in 2021!

Ticket stub for the Smiths show in 1984, at the Eden Court Theatre in Scotland, where Del Amitri opened...
Notice their name absent from the ticket stub. 

As a lifelong Del Amitri fan, this is some of the most exciting news I could ever hear. I've already been fortunate enough to see my other two favorite bands (Depeche Mode and The Church) live, and seeing the Dels would complete my holy trinity. So, now that I've explained a bit about the band and their career thus far, let me tell you just how significant a role Del Amitri have played in my life, from early childhood, 'till today and probably the rest of my life.

I was first introduced to Del Amitri by my parents playing their 1995 album Twisted on repeat for pretty much my entire upbringing. Every road trip, every neighborhood get-together- you better believe that CD was in the player. I have to thank my parents a lot for that (and for countless other great, niche artists they raised me with). Because without them, it might have taken me much longer to find the beauty and sincerity that is within Del Amitri's music. And that's because, for some god-forsaken reason- nobody talks about them! Or plays them! That being aside from my trusted favorite, local Chicago alternative rock station, 93.1 XRT, who has given them their sole spotlight in commercial radio since their inception. But other than that, Del Amitri are a hard band to find anywhere. The most you might get is hearing their (pretty overplayed) hit single off of Twisted, "Roll To Me" at your local grocery store, or on a "90's nostalgia" Pandora station or something. But that is not the singular thing they should be known for.

What they should be known for is singer and lyricist Justin Currie's stunning and masterful songwriting. Not only can the man write a damn good pop song (see "Roll To Me" again), but he manages to also write some of the deepest, most genuine and poetic lyrics I have ever heard. He sings mostly of love and loss- the traditional themes you'd expect from most every person who's ever written a song. But he does so in a manner that is totally unique to him. His depictions of love are unfiltered, yet refined and beautiful. He doesn't bother with cliches or vapid, overdone ways of expressing what it's like to be in love. There is something so real and so personal about his words- yet it's something that all of us can relate to. His words have made me blush, swoon, and fall in love again and again for as long as I can remember.

Take my favorite song by them, "Tell Her This", for example: On a first listen, without paying full attention, you might just see it as a straightforward love song. But it's not as perfect and sweet as it sounds. It is a desperate plea to the woman he loves, to stay with him, despite his acknowledged flaws and mistakes. "Tell her something in my mind freezes up from time to time" bookends the song with a vague description, that still says so much about what he believes is wrong with himself. But at the same time, the pure charm that is in the line, "Tell her something in my heart needs her more than even clowns need the laughter of the crowd", steals our hearts, and makes us want him again (because we know what that struggle feels like!). And that's just one example of Del Amitri's entire catalogue of brilliant and moving song lyrics.

So I hereby invite all of you to give Del Amitri a listen for yourself, if you haven't already! You could seriously start anywhere in their discography. But if you'd like to first experience them the same way I did, then I recommend starting with a full listen-through of Twisted. You can find it on Spotify, YouTube, or I can even burn you a CD copy if I know you in real life. I can damn near promise that you won't be disappointed- as long as you have good taste!

Del Amitri in 1989, posing for the cover of their "Move Away Jimmy Blue" single

New Order's Low-Life - The Perfect New Wave Album?

So here begins a new ongoing segment on this blog I like to call "[album name] - The Perfect New Wave Album?" where I will be taking an in-depth look at various albums I deem to be perfect (or at least near perfect) New Wave records, and arguing what makes them perfect examples of this genre. Now, first we should start by looking at what the true definition of New Wave is, when referring specifically to music. 
According to Merriam-Webster.com, New Wave music is defined as: Popular music, less raw than punk rock and typically including unconventional melodies, exaggerated beats, and quirky lyrics (oh boy..."quirky lyrics" are New Order's specialty). With that in mind, let's take a look at the masterpiece that is Low-Life. 

Low-Life by New Order, released May 13th, 1985

Track Listing:
Side 1:
1. Love Vigilantes 
2. The Perfect Kiss
3. This Time Of Night
4.Sunrise
Side 2: 
5. Elegia 
6. Sooner Than You Think
7. Sub-Culture
8. Face Up

For a bit of background on the record, it is New Order's third studio album, following what is probably their most well-known album, Power, Corruption, & Lies (released, 1983). To this day it is the only album to feature any photos of the band members on the cover or within the liner notes, though it is still done in their signature minimalist style, with that being the only thing on the cover, besides the album title (and some pressings didn't even have that!). It is viewed by many as a full departure from their earlier post-punk roots in Joy Division and the first two New Order records. I'm inclined to agree with that. 

By the very fact that it fully sheds their previous more post-punk sound for a more synthy, danceable one, it is already a contender for being considered this band's perfect New Wave album. Yes, there are "danceable" tracks on their first two records (and even on some Joy Division ones), but no previous record contained strictly club-worthy tracks, while also staying true to their dark, poetic nature. For example: My favorite track on the album (and in fact, my favorite New Order song of all-time) "The Perfect Kiss" was a huge hit at dance clubs back in the day, and is still a staple of New Wave club nights today. At the same time, however, its lyrical themes are confusing at best and seem to be suggesting something more twisted than your average pop song.
Some signature lyrics depicting this being: 
"Then I knew it from the start,
this friend of mine would fall apart.
Pretending not to see his gun,
I said let's go out and have some fun!"
(there's your "quirky lyrics", Merriam-Webster...). 
The lyrics are so obscure, even Bernard Sumner himself doesn't know what he's singing about (seriously, he wrote it and doesn't know what it means). This being sang along with a happy, synth-pop beat makes for a perfect New Wave song. 

On the darker, more serious side of things, there's the band's ode to their previous front man in Joy Division, Ian Curtis- "Elegia". Greek for "elegy" (a poem of reflection or lament for the dead), "Elegia" is probably the greatest tribute song to a deceased band member I have ever heard (and there are a lot of them). It is completely instrumental, in minor key, and full of synths and droning guitars that sound like the perfect marriage between a funeral march and 1980's pop-culture. If you're not in tears by the end of it, there might be something wrong with you. 

And those are just two tracks on Low-Life! I could go on about each song and why it matters, and plays a role in the album's New Wave perfection...but that would be a lot of reading for you. However, if in the future you'd like to read a full "track-by-track" description, let me know, 'cause I'd be happy to do it, if you're interested.

 As for why I chose Low-Life over New Order's other fantastic records, it comes down to minor details. You may be wondering, "Why Low-Life and not Power, Corruption & Lies?". And that's a very good question! Yes, it has all the obscure lyrics and artistic elements of New Wave music, but it is still more on the post-punk side all-together, though some tracks are also synth gems (see "Your Silent Face"). There are also some tracks on that record that are less dynamic than those on Low-Life (i.e. more boring songs). To put it simply, Low-Life is a perfect album start to finish, no filler. That's what makes it a perfect New Wave record.  

Here I Am, Rock You Like A...New Waver? - About the Blog / Blogger

Hello! And welcome to the first post on this blog! I want to take some time to write about what this blog is about, and what it means to me. I'm assuming most of you reading this will already know a bit about who I am, as I'm expecting it to be mostly (or entirely) friends of mine viewing it at this point. Although my hope is for that to change, and for this blog to grow, in time.

About the Blogger 

My name is Alex Byrne, and I have cared about music more than anything else in this world for as long as I can remember being alive. I'm 23 as I write this, and that statement rings more true than ever. It is my goal to make a living talking about and playing "rock and roll" music, and sharing my love for it with the rest of the world. I live north of the Chicago area, and graduated about a year ago now, with my degree in Communication and Digital Media. Since that time I have been actively searching for a job that will let me do that... to, so far, no avail. But I'm not giving up. And in the meantime, I am starting this blog (and hopefully also becoming active on a more audio / visual platform as well) to start my quest of sharing my love and knowledge of music with all of those who care to listen- regardless of making any money. Because I realized what is most important to me is just doing it. Just putting myself out there, not caring about getting anything monetarily out of it, because this is my greatest passion. And in a strange way, what I believe to be my greatest talent (if you can call it that). So thank you for coming along on this journey with me, at least this far, and for allowing me to pursue my dreams.

About this Blog

The purpose of this blog, as I stated above, is to share my thoughts about "rock and roll" music from its beginnings up to today, and into the future. As you may have noticed by now, I continue to put rock 'n' roll in quotes- let me explain. It is excruciatingly hard for me to pin down in simple terms what type of music I will be talking about. Yes, "alternative" is in the title (and "nostalgic") so you can assume a majority of it will fall under those two terms, and you would be right! My favorite genre is most likely New Wave or Post-Punk, particularly of the late 1970's and 80's, and its revival counterparts from today. But I love so much more than that! So yes, the majority of the bands / artists / genres I will be talking about will be of the 70's-80's alternative rock variety (so if you don't like any of that uhh...back out now I guess?) but you can also expect me to talk about more mainstream "classic" rock artists like the Eagles, or well-known heavy metal acts like Scorpions, because those types of music are also very important to me. So yes, anything you can call alternative (goth, punk, post-punk, shoegaze, new wave, ska, heavy metal, grunge, etc.) will be certainly discussed here. But don't think I won't talk about Blue Oyster Cult or Pink Floyd on occasion- because I will! 

You'll see album reviews, concert reviews (potentially including pictures and videos), and general opinion pieces on how I feel about any band / artist / album / genre / etc. Additionally, cultural topics such as the fashion that corresponds to various genres and music-based movements. (Example pictures of myself in various music / genre-based outfits and looks I've created below!) If any of that interests you, then this blog is for you!! Thank you, and look out for my next post, hopefully to be up within the next week (hopefully)!

Photo of me in my usual New Wave, 80's babe outfit, ready to go to my local club.

Photo of me in my trad. goth attire, celebrating World Goth Day in my favorite local cemetery. 

Photo of me inside the MGM Grand, after flying all the way to Las Vegas to see the Eagles live.